5 8 July. 
fragrance of the new-mown hay. The busy haymakers 
are at work, piling it into hay-cocks, or carrying it 
homewards to the stack-yard. In the city, residence is 
almost unendurable, and all who can leave now gladly 
seek the fresh, cool air of the country, or the breeze at 
the seaside. 
The ancient Romans called this month Quintilis. 
It was the fifth month of the Roman year, and had 
originally thirty-six days. It was the natal month of 
Julius Caesar, who, in reforming the Calendar, allotted 
to it thirty-one days. It was named July by Mark 
Antony, in compliment to him. Our Saxon forefathers 
termed it Hey-monat , because they then made their 
hay harvest; and also Maed-monat , from the meads 
being then in full bloom. 
The wild flowers of Spring have entirely disappeared. 
Climbing plants festoon the hedges. The wild hop, the 
bryony, the large white convolvulus, and others, deck 
the bushes with varied beauty, and breathe the Sum¬ 
mer’s sweetness. In the fields, the scarlet poppy, the 
blue-bottle, the marigold, and the dog-daisy, may be 
seen in abundance. On the roadsides and ditches, 
among beautiful ferns, may be seen the tall foxglove, 
the musk-thistle, the wild thyme, and hosts of others, 
which brighten the way of the weary foot passenger 
along the dusty road. 
